A person who impersonates someone else is known as an imposter. They could impersonate someone you know, such as a family member, an acquaintance, or someone you think you know but have never met in person.
They may claim to work for the government or for a company you know and trust, such as a computer software company, with which you conduct business regularly.
Impostors are dishonest people who try to steal your money or personal information by calling you, texting you, or sending you an email.
Phone calls may look to be from a local number, text messages may appear to be from legitimate businesses, and emails may have perfectly plausible government logos or the logos of a well-known company.
According to the BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report, impersonation is a relatively popular scam tactic.
Impostor scams occur in many kinds and sizes, but they always have the same goal in mind: to defraud you of your money and/or personal information.
The following are some examples of impostor scams and how they work:
Utility business impostors usually contact you by phone or knocking on your door, pretending to be a representative from your local water, electric, or gas provider.
In the most usual situation, the fraudster would claim that a payment is past due and that if you don’t pay up right away, your utilities will be turned off.
You receive a text message purporting to be from a bank, informing you that your account has been compromised. You might or might not have a bank account there. Your account number may be known to the con artists.
They use a range of messages and tactics to achieve the same goal. They ask you to provide the information, including the password to your bank account.
Before assigning accounts to a private collection firm, the IRS will notify taxpayers. Be wary and dubious if you receive a call first and had no idea you owe taxes.
Scams involving grandparents or family/friends are often known as grandparent or family/friend scams. This method entails impersonating a friend or family member in a fictitious urgent or life-threatening circumstance.
Emergency calls take advantage of a person’s good nature and inclination to help friends and relatives in distress. Con artists pose as their victims’ loved ones, fabricate an urgent issue, and beg for assistance and money.
To persuade their targets, these people can use social media sites to fabricate plausible stories and incorporate nicknames and real vacation plans into the con.
This is a variation on the “emergency” con. Instead of a severe emergency, the scammer is requesting a modest favour.
Because the claims are convincing and the money amounts are much lesser, it’s simple to fall for these cons. In the “cash app scam,” for example, a “buddy” needs money for groceries after misplacing their wallet.
Before sending any money, double-check with your friend, just like you would with an emergency fraud.
A tech support representative contacts you at home and offers to solve a computer fault you haven’t detected, or a popup warning appears on your screen asking you to telephone a number for assistance.
Scammers impersonate tech support representatives from well-known computer companies and pressure victims into paying for their “help.”
How can you protect yourself from impostor scams?
Maintain your composure. No matter how dramatic the tale is or how menacing or intimidating the caller seems, resist the desire to act immediately if you receive one of these fake calls.
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Don’t respond right away. Don’t answer the phone, text, or email. Instead, call the company or individual directly to confirm the message or phone call received.
Go to the source or seek assistance. When in doubt, seek a second opinion from a friend, loved one, or your local Better Business Bureau. Tell someone about the phone conversation, regardless of what was said.
